Buoyed by a thrilling comeback win in Game 1, the Los Angeles Dodgers now look to sweep the Chicago Cubs in a doubleheader. Dating back to last year’s National League Championship Series, the Dodgers have won three of four games at Wrigley Field.
Rich Hill takes the mound in the nightcap for what’s his first start since May 19. In that outing Hill only threw two pitches to Washington Nationals leadoff man Trea Turner before being removed with an aggravated blister.
Hill makes his first career regular-season start against his former Cubs team. In one previous relief appearance against Chicago in 2011, the left-hander recorded two outs via strikeout.
In two postseason starts against the Cubs, Hill has allowed only five hits and one run in 11 innings pitched (0.82 ERA), tallying 14 strikeouts and three walks.
Hill owns a lifetime 11-5 record at Wrigley Field, with a 3.94 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, 157 strikeouts compared to 69 walks over 176 innings pitched.
In six starts this season, Hill has compiled a 6.20 ERA, 6.34 FIP and 1.74 WHIP across 24.2 innings pitched, with 25 strikeouts to 13 walks.
The Cubs counter with fellow southpaw Mike Montgomery, who looks to build off an excellent start against the Milwaukee Brewers. In six innings pitched, he yielded only two hits and one run with four strikeouts.
Montgomery is 2-2 this season, having posted a 3.31 ERA, 3.89 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 49 innings. He has thrived with a regular role in the Cubs’ starting rotation since Yu Darvish was placed on the disabled list, allowing only three runs in his last four starts combined.
The Cubs will be without Brandon Morrow, who also missed the afternoon game because of back tightness.
Dodgers lineup:
SS: Chris Taylor
CF: Kiké Hernandez
LF: Matt Kemp
3B: Max Muncy
RF: Yasiel Puig
1B: Cody Bellinger
2B: Logan Forsythe
C: Austin Barnes
P: Rich Hill
Cubs lineup:
3B: Kris Bryant
2B: Javier Baez
CF: Albert Almora Jr.
1B: Anthony Rizzo
C: Willson Contreras
SS: Addison Russell
LF: Kyle Schwarber
RF: Ian Happ
P: Mike Montgomery
